Have you consider Toyota LC90 (the smaller Land Cruiser) over here this vehicle is very popular for towing and also for offroad uses.
First picture shows the LC90 modification on 33" tires
Second picture shows LC90 modification on 35" tires
Third picture shows LC90 modification on 38" tires
Final picture shows standard LC90

Had a white T5, went like a bullet and burnt off bikers so that could be why Aging Youth don't like em! Being white most cars slowed down when I appeared in the rear view mirror and then moved over. Had to put new tyres on every 18000miles, but enjoyed every minute of it. Sold it for a Discovery cos I couldnt see it pulling up the beach with a rib on the back...but the 4x4 version should be fine if you rope it across the softer sand if indeed it is a beach you launch from. The Volvo wont even notice the rib on the back! But just make sure you remember you have one on! Bit like driving a rib...you have a smile on your face all the time.
At the end of the day it's your choice...just my vote would be for the Volvo, fast, safe, roomy and bugs a lot of folk as you fly by (including bikers). I had the optional extra of having the rear wiper installed in the inside of the rear window...to wipe the golden retriever off.

How could you even consider another make of vehicle, it has to be another RR. P38A model with TD5 engine suberb.

Ah yes. A stat from 2000 when I worked at LR that sticks in my mind was that an owner of a P38A (Thats the last RR before the current BM engineered one) had a 50% likelyhood of using the free breakdown and recovery service within the 3 years of warranty.

So not a car I personally would suggest as a second hand buy!

I also agree with Richard that the 80% rule whilst being good practice is impractical for big RIBS. What is sensible is the meatiest heavyest tow vehicle practical. For a 7.5m+ RIB thats a decent 4x4 e.g. LR/Disco/RR, Trooper, Landcruiser, Grand Cherokee etc. A RAV4 of other softroader wont cut the mustard.

For Daniel and a smaller RIB a 4x4 estate car would seem to fit the bill so T5 AWD good idea or A6 Quattro (as prev. suggested.). Other alternative could be Subaru Outback 3.0L but not as screamy fast as the T5 or Audi!

Thanks for your input guys... some of you are missing the point here i feel - my requirments are to replace nearly all if not all of my cars - so a 'normal' 4x4 simply does not fit the bill, Rangie's, Landcruisers etc. are not options.

A powerfull (as fast as poss.) 4x4 estate is what i need.

I think Phil has hit the nail on the head when he said a serious downpoint of Volvo's is their depreciation - a £27k car worth £3k a few years down the line... that's the kind of car i want...over a £20k discount!!! Having looked into it i can't get so much for my money with an Audi.

Tappy if you really are going to buy a A6 Quattro estate 2.8t then i think i'll get the AWD T5 and then we can compair directly . Alternatively (and more likely ) is letting you buy the Audi, me buying another 280bhp MR2 turbo and simply stealing the Audi all the time

Kevin, i havent forgotten you, i'll try and call tommorow, but all is in hand.

Thanks again guys, keep the comments coming but remember a "real" 4x4 is not what i am looking for here

Yep. Merc have jumped on the 4x4 saloon/estate bandwagon, so you can now get a Merc E-class 4matic as they call it. This would ideally replace all your cars, you could even bring it to Brabus for them to drop in a 6.3 litre V12, 640 bhp and 762lb.ft!!! of torque won't have any trouble towing anything in one of these!! Only problem is the price

I'd go for a used Volvo T5 and with the extra cash you'd save on the Audi, fit a chip and Boost controller and some VERY BIG BRAKES!!

So you are looking for a Audi based car without the Audi price. Boy, this is so easy....

A SKODA

The 4x4 Octavia 1.8T has all the Audi running gear minus the price tag. It will also push out 180hp (with just a chip change) although I believe you can get a reliable 200hp & this will give you quite a shock. £16K brand new & VERY LITTLE DEPRECIATION.

Try 1 - you might even like it.

Oh, try to get in the Audi first - you will hardly notice a difference, internally & externally.